A checklist for carers of people with mental
health problems

Questions to ask the psychiatrist

Carers need information and psychiatrists are busy.
Carers may not always find out what they need to know about the
person they are caring for. This checklist is designed to help you
get all the information you need about the diagnosis and treatment
of the person you care for.

You may be able to get some of this information
from other members of the clinical team involved, or from written
information that they can provide.

If the person gives you permission, the
psychiatrist will be able to give you information about their
condition and care.

Although you may not want to ask all the
questions listed, you may find that they help you in preparing to
meet the psychiatrist and the mental health team. Not everyone will
need all the answers to all these questions at the same time. You
may have questions that are not covered in this leaflet. Even so,
it should provide a helpful framework for deciding what you do need
to know.

About the illness

What is the diagnosis or
problem?

If a diagnosis has not yet been made, what are the
possibilities?

Why
has this happened to them?

Will they recover?

If
a diagnosis has been made

What symptoms suggest this
diagnosis/illness?

What
is known about the causes of this disorder/illness?

What
is likely to happen in the future? Will it get better or
worse?

Where can I get written
information about this disorder?

About the assessment

What
assessments have already been done?

Are
there any other assessments that might be needed?

Are there any
physical problems that have been discovered? If so, what will need
to be done?

Further help

Carers Trust is a charity which was formed by the merger of The
Princess Royal Trust for Carers and Crossroads Care in April 2012.
Carers Trust works to improve support, services and recognition for
anyone living with the challenges of caring, unpaid, for a family
member or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health
or addiction problems. With our Network Partners, we aim to ensure
that information, advice and practical support are available to all
carers across the UK.

This leaflet was produced as part of the
Partners in Care campaign, a joint initiative between the Royal
College of Psychiatrists and The Princess Royal Trust for
Carers.

One of the aims of the Partners in Care
campaign was to show that if all
those involved in the care of people with mental health problems or
learning disabilities can work together, a trusting partnership can
be development between carers, patients and professionals which
will be of benefit to all.

Editor: Dr Philip Timms, Chair, Royal College of Psychiatrists'
Public Education Editorial Board.

For a catalogue of public education materials or copies of our
leaflets contact: Leaflets Department, The
Royal College of Psychiatrists, 21 Prescot Street, London
E1 8BB. Telephone: 020 7235 2351 x 2552.

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Please note that we are unable to offer advice on individual cases. Please see our
FAQ for
advice on getting help.

Please answer the following questions and press 'submit' to send your answers OR
E-mail your responses to dhart@rcpsych.ac.uk

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